METHOD OF INDUCING DIFFERENTIATION OF MESODERMAL STEM CELLS, ES CELLS OR IMMORTALIZED CELLS INTO NERVOUS SYSTEM CELLS

摘要

It is found out that, when mesodermal stem cells or ES cells prepared from mononuclear cell fraction separated from myeloid fluid or cord blood are cultured in a liquid fundamental culture medium, there arises induction of the differentiation of these mesodermal stem cells or ES cells into nerve stem cells, nerve cells or glial cells. It is also found out that the induction of the differentiation of the mesodermal stem cells or ES cells into nervous system cells is promoted by adding an ischemic brain extract to the liquid fundamental culture medium. It is further clarified that the nervous system cells thus obtained are capable of regenerating nerve in models of cerebral infarction, dementia, spinal injury and demyelination. Moreover, it becomes possible to induce the differentiation of mesodermal stem cells into nervous system cells by immortalizing the mesodermal stem cells by overexpressing or activating an immortalization gene therein and then culturing the cells under appropriate conditions. This method is highly useful in nerve regeneration therapy.